Day trip recomendations from Moab?

[DogDoc]

We will be visiting from 7/10 through 7/12 and driving a rubicon. I have offroad experience but nothing that would impress you guys. Mostly mud, sand and non-technical rocks. My F250 is not big on articulation and has a wheelbase approx the length of the Queen Mary.

The plan is to spend 3 days poking around, trying to be in A/C or the pool in the middle of the day (visitor centers, etc) but for a spectacular trip we ain't skeered of 100 degrees. At least it won't be 95% humidity. (Will it?)

Don't mind getting up early. Got GPS. Assuming Rubi will have a decent jack but unlikely to have winch, etc.

What do you consider to be gotta-do's? I've been through Well's book and the book by Massey and Wilson. My conclusion is that we can really only scratch the surface. We will actually get to Moab mid afternoon on the 9th, driving a rental sedan, so a paved or easy drive could be done then.

We hope to hit the high points but have some fun while doing it.

Any advice from you guys/gals?

This seems like a really friendly forum. And if any of you come down to Port Lavaca, I promise to give you some good advice on where to fish.

And show you some mud.

Steve

 

[Darwin]

elephant hill and the colorado and green river confluance is an hour or so south of moab, and a really fun drive.

 

[offroaddave]

I'd say-http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?t=44727

to golden spike to http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?t=44785




It's a long drive but my personal favorite.

I would'nt think it would be a problem at all in a rubicon.

Don't forget the pics.

 

[Herzog]

Honestly, if it's your first time out in Moab in a 4x4... just pick a direction because it's all fun and really beautiful to see.

The 'Well's book' is an excellent way to get started. Hook up with a local or some others that might be in town that have some experience in the area. Most of the 4 wheelers down there are quite friendly and don't mind people tagging along.

 

[DaveB]

elephant hill and the colorado and green river confluance is an hour or so south of moab, and a really fun drive.

When we went down a couple of weeks ago we did elephant hill and really enjoyed it. The trail is challenging but not real bad and the scenery is great. We also did poison spider and fins and things. Fins and things is a good one that is close to town and a good warm up to some of the other trails. We also like gold bar rim and steel bender.

 

[4554x4]

Fins and Things

Fins and Things would be a great tral to run for a beginner.

 

[JKS]

For scenery, you can't go wrong with Long Canyon, Gemini Bridges, and Bull Canyon. All three are easy can be done in a about a half a day or so. Fins & Things and 7 Mile Rim are fun trails that offer a little more challenge along with great scenery. If you like to play in the sand, then Barlett Wash and Hidden Canyon can be a lot of fun.

 

[Cherokeester]

I wouldn't do Golden Spike on my first time out, but that is just me. I would go out on Fins, Gemini Bridges, Seven Mile Rim and Top of the World. Chicken corners is a fun easy drive but long. Oh, it will be hotter that Hades out there so take a lot of water!

 

[kkemp]

I wouldn't do Golden Spike on my first time out, but that is just me. I would go out on Fins, Gemini Bridges, Seven Mile Rim and Top of the World. Chicken corners is a fun easy drive but long. Oh, it will be hotter that Hades out there so take a lot of water!

X2

 

[Samersen]

i have a stock unlimited rubicon. so i understand where you are coming from. try to baby lions back, it will give you a chance to uses your lockers on so step stuff. Hells revenge is fun and there are plenty of bypasses that you can take if you don't want to scrape your underside. gemini bridges, is good. fins and things is great to be able to use your rubicon. make sure you take a map and plenty of water and fill up on gas everytime you leave for a trail.

 

[Bart]

Agree on Hell's Revenge and Fins and Things. Did them both years ago in an XJ with 31s and open diffs. Posion Spider is not bad either. If you feel like a longer drive then do the Spike, but it is a long drive if you're taking it easy.

 

[Meat_]

Go out to Dead Horse Point in your rental car, hit up Arches after that if you have the time.

 

[Unimog]

My personal favorites - Take the truck or the Jeep out on the Schaeffer trail to Musselman arch. Then turn around and go up the switch-backs to the top, follow up with the sunset from Dead Horse Point. Except for a few places to get out and look around, a lot of this can be done in the a/c cab.

For a real taste of Moab, take the Jeep out on Hell's Revenge. Make sure to follow the markers and enjoy!

 

[crzyjeep]

Fins-n-things is a good beginner trail, Long-canyon is beatiful, Hells revenge, and poison spider are also good choices. I agree with most other posts that you may want to avoid golden spike unless you want a longer trail and can hook up with a group. Definitely bring WATER, too much fun stuff to do. I'm sure you'll get the Moab bug and be planning your next trip right after you leave!! ENJOY!!!

 

[ZUKEYPR]

Shafer Trail to deadhorse point, super easy, phenominal scenery
Elephant Hill, no challenge but yet again different scenery and spectacular at that.
Hotel Rock, challenging but easily doable in a rubi/unl (I have one) only one spot it gets tight on. Leads to anasazi cliff dwellings (hence the name hotel rock)
Metal Masher, easily doable with alot of obstacles
Hell's Revenge

I would stay away from Fins in things on your first trip. Even trail leaders get lost on that trail their first time out with maps and GPS. I would definitely stay away from the trio of Poisen Spider, Golden Spike, and Gold Bar Rim as well. Extremely long, not a first time Moab trail IMHO.

Must do, sight seeing in Arches National Park, one of the most picturesque place on earth.

 

[ZUKEYPR]

I forgot;
Best wings and Pizza - Zaks
Best Breakfast - Moab Diner
Best micro Beer and toss up for hang out with Zaks would be Moab Brewery.